Marko Anije Ver, better known as Roman Emperor Marko Aurelije, also known as the “philosopher on the throne”, was born in Rome in the 2nd century as a descendant of a noble family. He lost his parents at an early age, so he was adopted by his grandfather, a Roman prefect, and later by the then Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius, who changed his name to Marko Aurelije Antonin and appointed him as his successor. At that time, the Roman Empire was facing serious problems, both internal and external, but Marko’s reign, lasting for nineteen years, was recorded as the last period of glory of that Empire, in which justice still prevailed.
From a young age, he was dedicated to learning and especially to Stoic philosophy, and he transmitted his acquired ideas throughout his reign and his personal life. Therefore, it can be said with deep respect that he was a man who lived by his convictions, despite everything and precisely because of everything and everyone:
The only purpose of what you do, whether alone or with someone else, is to serve everyone and be in harmony with everything.
Towards the end Throughout his life, during short breaks between battles and various other duties, he writes a diary as a sort of introspection and self-help. But as history has shown, not only to himself but to all other people, it became an invaluable treasure and gift from his spirit. The book was later translated from Greek to Latin under the title Meditationes. Here we present a part of his thoughts.
Oh world, I am in harmony with every tone of your sublime harmony. Nothing is early or late for me, if it is timely for you. Oh nature, everything that your seasons bring is fruitful for me. Everything originates from you, exists within you, and returns to you.
Test your ability to live the life of a virtuous person, the life of one who is content with the role assigned to him in the universe, one who strives only for justice in his work and benevolence on his path.
No matter what the world says or does, it is up to me to remain good. Just as gold, emeralds, and crimson would say to themselves: “Whatever anyone may say or do, I must remain true to myself.” “Emerald and preserve its true color.”
“Do a lot, but not in a way that makes you a martyr and not with a desire for sympathy or admiration. Just wish one thing: that what you do or don’t do be worthy of a reasonable citizen.”
“Look beneath the surface; never let the genuine and valuable escape your attention.”
“Have I done a selfless act? In that case, I am also rewarded. Keep this thought in mind constantly and be unwavering.”
“In order to refresh your spirit, remember the good qualities of your friends: someone’s skill, someone else’s modesty, someone’s nobility, and so on. There is no more reliable cure for sadness than emulating the examples of various virtues that you constantly discover in the people around you. Therefore, always keep them in mind.”
“Search deep within yourself. There lies the source of goodness that will spring forth as long as you seek it.”
“Take modestly, give generously.”
“Can what happened to you prevent you from being just, generous, moderate,” and truthful, free, to respect yourself and to be everything that makes a person a human being?
If something is difficult for you, don’t think that it is beyond the power of mortals. On the contrary, if anything is possible and right for a person to do, consider it possible for you as well.
The things you fear or avoid do not come to you, you go to them first. Therefore, restrain your judgments about them, and those things will remain in peace, and you will not have to avoid or pursue them.
Be like a rock that waves continuously crash against; it stands firm while the water slowly calms around it.
It is enough for your present opinion to stem from conviction, your actions from selflessness, and your soul to be content with everything that happens to you from the outside.
The first rule is to keep your mind free from worries. Because everything that exists must obey the law of nature… The second rule is to face things as they are and recognize them for what they are, keeping in mind that it is your duty to be good and Man. Do what nature commands without delay; say what seems most correct to you – but with courtesy, modesty and sincerity.
The moment of your departure is getting closer. If you forget everything else and focus your attention on your soul, on the divine spark within it, if you replace your fear of the end of life with the fear that you have not yet begun to live in accordance with the laws of nature, then you can still become a person worthy of the universe that gave you life.